Last year: 27-7; 12th District champion; 3rd Region champion; lost to St. Xavier in state SFs

The Cougars reached their fourth state tournament, and first since 2009, by vanquishing two of the last four region champs (Daviess County and Muhlenberg County). Mr. Basketball challenger Jack Logsdon, the program’s all-time leading scorer, will look to lead Grayson to back-to-back titles for the first time in its history. Braden Wright, a 6-7 forward who averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds last season for Edmonson County, could further boost the Cougars’ shot of a repeat. As of mid-November, his eligibility status was still in contention.

Notable games: Dec. 5 vs. W.E.B. DuBois in Mr. Basketball Classic (George Rogers Clark); Dec. 8 at Ohio County; Dec. 12 vs. George Rogers Clark in Kentucky Basketball Classic (Taylor County); Jan. 2 vs. Marshall County in Grayson County New Years Classic; Jan. 5 at Owensboro Catholic; Jan. 12 vs. Warren Central; Jan. 30 vs. Greenwood; Feb. 13 at St. Mary; Feb. 16 vs. Daviess County

6 first-place votes, 46 total points

Last year: 20-10; 9th District runner-up; lost to Meade County in 3rd Region SFs

Landon Henning (13.5 ppg), Tate Powers (12.4 ppg) and Carlos Cruz (12.2 ppg) return as the three leading scorers from a year ago. The Eagles were a bucket away from making the 3rd Region final for the first time since 2018, when they reached the Sweet 16. They’d missed every region tournament between that season and last year’s.

Notable games: Dec. 1 vs. Ohio County; Dec. 11 at Christian County; Dec. 12 vs. Moore in Kentucky Basketball Classic (Taylor County); Dec. 18-19 Southwire Classic (McLean County); Jan. 12 vs. Lincoln County in German American Bank Shootout (Bowling Green); Jan. 8 vs. Daviess County; Jan. 15 vs. Owensboro Catholic; Jan. 23 vs. Graves County in Parker Eye Care Shootout (Graves County); Jan. 26 at Marshall County; Jan. 29 at Owensboro; Feb. 5 at Daviess County; Feb. 8 at Owensboro Catholic; Feb. 16 vs. Bowling Green; Feb. 18 at North Hardin

2 first-place votes, 40 total points

Last year: 17-11; lost to Apollo in 9th District SFs

“Traditionally, our biggest challenge is the transition we undergo once football finishes their state championship run in December,” said head coach Tabor Shadowen. One of those players is Dre’Mail Carothers, the Aces’ quarterback and their leading scorer on the court last seson (13.1 ppg). Back too are Jake Murphy (12.8 ppg) and Braylon Coots (7.9 ppg).

Notable games: Dec. 18 at Daviess County; Jan. 2 vs. Owensboro; Jan. 5 vs. Grayson County; Jan. 15 at Apollo; Jan. 26 vs. Ohio County; Jan. 29 vs. Daviess County; Feb. 2 at Greenwood; Feb. 5 at Owensboro; Feb. 8 at Apollo; Feb. 16 at Madisonville

29 total points

Last year: 23-7; 10th District champion; lost to Apollo in 3rd Region first round

Max Holsclaw (9.6 ppg) and Emanuel “Manny” Suarez (9.7 ppg) return for the Eagles, who last won the region in 2013. That was also their last appearance in the championship game. Suarez, a 6-4 wing, averaged 7.1 rebounds and was a shot-blocking menace for Ohio County.

Notable games: Dec. 1 at Apollo; Dec. 5 vs. Logan County; Dec. 8 vs. Grayson County; Dec. 15 vs. McLean County; Dec. 18 vs. Greenwood in Southwire Classic (McLean County); Dec. 21 vs. Murray; Jan. 5 at Muhlenberg County; Jan. 14 vs. Hopkins County Central; Jan. 19 vs. Bowling Green; Jan. 22 at McLean County; Jan. 26 at Owensboro Catholic; Jan. 30 vs. Owensboro; Feb. 2 vs. Muhlenberg County; Feb. 6 vs. Barren County; Feb. 12 at Daviess County

28 total points

Last year: 25-7; 9th District champion; lost to Grayson County in 3rd Region SFs

Seven points. That was the combined margin of defeat in the Panthers’ two games against Grayson County in an 18-day span, the second time falling on a buzzer-beater. Their loan returning starter, Michael Acton, tore his ACL in July but could return this season. In the meantime Aidan West, a 6-6 sophomore guard, will aim to keep the ship steady along with Jonah Brown, a 6-7 junior playing his first season of KHSAA basketball (he previously attended Valor Christian Academy in Owensboro).

Notable games: Dec. 1 vs. Henderson County; Dec. 11 at Owensboro; Dec. 18 vs. Owensboro Catholic; Dec. 28-30 H&H Holiday Hoopfest (Logan County); Jan. 8 at Apollo; Jan. 12 at Hopkins County Central; Jan. 21 vs. Taylor County; Jan. 23 vs. Butler in Bobby Rascoe Classic (host); Jan. 29 at Owensboro Catholic; Feb. 5 vs. Apollo; Feb. 12 vs. Ohio County; Feb. 16 at Grayson County; Feb. 18 at Greenwood

13 total points

Last year: 27-10; 9th District runner-up; 3rd Region champion; lost to Simon Kenton in state QFs

Two of the last four region titles and six of the last 10 have gone to the Aces, who swiftly avenged a district-championship loss to Daviess County in the 3rd Region final. Their chances to go back-to-back appear high with the entire head of their rotation — Katie Hagan, Taylor Mannahan, Claudia Munsey, Layla Martin and Sophia Newby — back from last season along with some key reserves.

Notable games: Dec. 8 vs. Sacred Heart; Dec. 11 vs. Apollo; Dec. 18 at Daviess County; Dec. 22 vs. Owensboro; Dec. 28-31 Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies Classic (Greenville, Tenn.); Jan. 15 at Apollo; Jan. 29 vs. Daviess County; Feb. 5 at Owensboro; Feb. 6 at McCracken County; Feb. 9 at Bowling Green; Feb. 11 at Hopkins County Central; Feb. 13. vs. Taylor County in KY Vintage Tees Classic (Breckinridge County); Feb. 16 vs. Henderson County

All 9 first-place votes, 54 total points

Last year: 20-8; lost to Butler County in 12th District SFs

The Cougars’ region-title hopes took a big hit in February when leading scorer Breigh Jones (17.8 ppg) suffered a season-ending knee injury. They’d beaten Butler County twice in the regular season before taking a 43-40 loss that kept ’em out of the region tournament for the first time since 2023.

Notable games: Dec. 10 at McLean County; Dec. 11 vs. Edmonson County; Dec. 19 vs. Meade County in Army National Guard Shootout (Warren East); Jan. 2 vs. Daviess County; Jan. 8 at Butler County; Jan. 15 vs. Whitesville Trinity; Jan. 22 at Edmonson County; Jan. 25 vs. McLean County; Jan. 29 vs. Butler County; Feb. 5 vs. Whitesville Trinity; Feb. 6 vs. Bullitt East

38 total points

Last year: 19-11; 10th District champion; lost to Edmonson County in 3rd Region first round

Junior Anna Miller, sophomore Karlee Floyd and sophomore Ella Larkin combined for almost 40 points per game in 2025-26. This year and down the road they’ll look to lead the Cougars to their first Sweet 16.

Notable games: Dec. 10 vs. Grayson County; Dec. 12 vs. Christian Couny in Holiday Hoopla Classic (McCracken County); Dec. 15 at Ohio County; Dec. 18 vs. Hopkins County Central in Southwire Classic (McLean County); Dec. 22 at Daviess County; Dec. 28-30 Lake Cumberland Holiday Hoops (various, Somerset); Jan. 2 vs. Muhlenberg County; Jan. 16 vs. Graves County in First Southern National Bank Lady Mustang Classic (Muhlenberg County); Jan. 22 vs. Ohio County; Jan. 25 at Grayson County; Jan. 29 at Muhlenberg County; Feb. 8 vs. Henderson County; Feb. 12 vs. Meade County; Feb. 16 vs. Daviess County

33 total points

Last year: 18-12; 11th District runner-up; lost to Daviess County in 3rd Region SFs

Meade’s three leading scorers from a year ago — Karla Thornsberry, Jacelyn Nevitt and Ella Lucas — are still underclassmen, an exciting core for Jason Tripure as he enters year two as head coach of the Green Wave girls after coaching the boys for 24 seasons.

Notable games: Dec. 4 vs. Daviess County; Dec. 11 at Breckinridge County; Dec. 16 at Assumption; Dec. 19 vs. Grayson County in Army National Guard Shootout (Warren East); Jan. 5 at Central; Jan. 20 at Cloverport; Jan. 22 at Hancock County; Jan. 29 vs. Breckinridge County; Feb. 1 at Owensboro Catholic; Feb. 5 vs. Hancock County; Feb. 12 at McLean County

29 total points

Last year: 27-6; 9th District champion; lost to Owensboro Catholic in 3rd Region championship

The Panthers had never reached the Sweet 16 before 2025 and nearly repeated: they beat OCath for the 9th District title less than two weeks before falling in the 3rd Region final. They’ll be coached this by Michael Gilmer, an assistant for five years who succeeded Natalie Payne, who left to coach Breckinridge County.

Notable games: Dec. 4 at Meade County; Dec. 5 vs. McCracken County; Dec. 18 vs. Owensboro Catholic; Dec. 22 vs. McLean County; Dec. 27-30 Lady Invitational of the South (Allen County-Scottsville); Jan. 2 at Grayson County; Jan. 5 at North Hardin; Jan. 8 at Apollo; Jan. 12 at Henderson County; Jan. 15 vs. Owensboro; Jan. 16 vs. Marshall County in First Southern National Bank Classic (Muhlenberg County); Jan. 29 at Owensboro Catholic; Feb. 5 vs. Apollo; Feb. 16 at McLean County; Feb. 18 vs. Bowling Green

16 total points

Last year: 26-4; 14th District champion; 4th Region champion; lost to North Laurel in state first round

Warren Central has won 10 of the last 18 region titles, a stretch that includes a state title in 2023. Western Kentucky University commit Armani Byrd, a 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds last season, leads a group that’s deep despite losing its other top four scorers. Kash Carter, a key guard the last couple of seasons, is back and the Dragons added Malik Sanders, a 6-5 junior out of Tennessee who’s fielding Division I offers.

Notable games: Dec. 3-5 Marshall County Hoopfest; Dec. 12 vs. Jeffersontown at Bardstown; Dec. 18-19 Southwire Classic (McLean County); Dec. 27-29 Jim Rose Central Bank Classic (Lexington Christian Academy); Jan. 4 vs. Logan County; Jan. 5 at Barren County; Jan. 8 vs. Greenwood; Jan. 12 at Grayson County; Jan. 15 at Bowling Green; Jan. 23 vs. Fairdale in Bobby Rascoe Classic (Daviess County); Jan. 25 vs. Christian County; Jan. 29 at Greenwood; Feb. 5 vs. Bowling Green; Feb. 6 vs. Corbin; Feb. 13 at North Hardin; Feb. 19 vs. Evangel Christian

Last year: 19-12; lost to Warren Central in 14th District SFs

Those eight region championships Warren Central didn’t win? Bowling Green took them all, most recently in 2025. The Purples were 10th statewide and top in the 4th Region with a team shooting percentage of 39.6% from behind the 3-point line last season.

Notable games: Dec. 1 at Franklin-Simpson; Dec. 17 at Logan County; Jan. 2 vs. Caldwell County; Jan. 5 vs. Taylor County; Jan. 12 at Barren County; Jan. 15. vs. Warren Central; Jan. 19 at Ohio County; Jan. 22 at Greenwood; Jan. 25 vs. North Hardin; Feb. 5 at Warren Central; Feb. 9 at Christian County; Feb. 12 vs. Greenwood; Feb. 16 at Apollo

5 first-place votes, 60 total points

Last year: 23-8; lost to South Warren in 14th District SFs

The Gators were the last school to advance to the boys Sweet 16 out of the 4th Region before Bowling Green and Warren Central locked it down. Most years Greenwood’s got a squad that could go deep in the postseason but it shares a district with those titans. The last time the program made the 4th Region tournament (2021), it reached the title game. Junior Ethan York (10.8 ppg) will try to lead them out of a monster district first.

Notable games: Dec. 5 vs. Hopkins County Central in Community Health Tip-Off Classic (Muhlenberg County); Dec. 15 at North Hardin; Dec. 18-19 Southwire Classic (McLean County); Jan. 2 vs. Christian County in German American Bank Shootout (Bowling Green); Jan. 8 at Warren Central; Jan. 9 at McCracken County; Jan. 11 vs. Logan County; Jan. 15 at South Warren; Jan. 22 vs. Bowling Green; Jan. 26 vs. Barren County; Jan. 29 vs.Warren Central; Jan. 30 at Grayson County; Feb. 2 vs. Owensboro Catholic; Feb. 5 vs. South Warren; Feb. 12 at Bowling Green; Feb. 18 vs. Daviess County

36 total points

Last year: 19-14; 15th District runner-up; lost to Warren Central in 4th Region SFs

“We will have to find some consistent scoring and rebounding to replace the guys we lost from last year,” said Warren Cunningham, entering his 19th season as head coach of the Trojans. Four of their top five bucket-getters are gone but Weston Shelton, their No. 2 guy as a sophomore, is projected among the best players in the region.

Notable games: Dec. 15 vs. South Warren; Dec. 18 at Allen County-Scottsville; Jan. 2 vs. Pleasure Ridge Park in Grayson County New Years Classic; Jan. 5 vs. Warren Central; Jan. 8 at Warren East; Jan. 12 vs. Bowling Green; Jan. 15 at Glasgow; Jan. 22 vs. Allen County-Scottsville; Jan. 26 at Greenwood; Jan. 29 vs. Glasgow; Feb. 2 vs. Franklin-Simpson; Feb. 5 vs. Warren East; Feb. 6 at Ohio County; Feb. 16 at Taylor County

24 total points

Last year: 20-11; 13th District champion; lost to South Warren in 4th Region first round

Davis Switzer (21.8 ppg) is the top returning scorer in the region and leads a deep bench of returning Cougars, who also picked up Franklin-Simpson transfer JahMir Brooks (8.5 ppg as a junior). The Cougars won just a single game the season prior to the tenure of Josh Frick, now entering his fifth as their skipper. “We’ve increased our win total every year I’ve been here, swept the district last season,” Frick said. “(It’s the) highest expectations this program has had in a long time. We are hungry to win a regional title.”

Notable games: Class 2A Sectionals (TBD); Dec. 1 at Lyon County; Dec. 3-5 Marshall County Hoopfest; Dec. 5 at Ohio County; Dec. 28-30 H&H Holiday Hoopfest (host); Jan. 4 at Warren Central; Jan. 8 vs. Franklin-Simpson; Jan. 11 at Greenwood; Jan. 15 at Russellville; Jan. 29 at Franklin-Simpson; Feb. 5 vs. Russellville

23 total points

Last year: 31-3; 15th District champion; lost to Franklin-Simpson in 4th Region championship

Trojanettes were seemingly favored to get out of the 4th Region for the first time since 2019, but did split two regular-season meetings with the Wildcats before succumbing in OT in last year’s region final. Head coach Piper Lindsey says after that “devastating end last season,” her group is excited to get back on the court.

Notable games: Dec. 12 vs. Logan County in State Farm 4th Region Challenge (Bowling Green); Dec. 14 vs. Monroe County; Dec. 18 at Allen County-Scottsville; Jan. 2 vs. Lyon County; Jan. 8 at Warren East; Jan. 12 vs. Bowling Green; Jan. 15 at Glasgow; Jan. 18 vs. Campbellsville; Jan. 22 vs. Allen County-Scottsville; Jan. 29 vs. Glasgow; Jan. 30 at Monroe County; Feb. 5 vs. Warren East; Feb. 9 vs. Metcalfe County; Feb. 11 at Bardstown; Feb. 16 at Taylor County

8 first-place votes, 66 total points

Last year: 17-14; 14th District champion; lost to Monroe County in 4th Region first round

It’s a testament to the respect Calvin Head’s program has garnered that it can have no top-five players in the region — and just one, a freshman, named at all in ballots returned — yet it not be strange at all to see it ranked so high. The Purples’ speed and depth will give them a shot in every game.

Notable games: Dec. 3 vs. North Hardin; Dec. 12 vs. Metcalfe County in State Farm 4th Region Challenge (host); Dec. 15 vs. Christian County; Dec. 19-22 Queen of the Commonwealth (Bullitt East); Jan. 5 vs. Taylor County; Jan. 8 at South Warren; Jan. 9 vs. Henderson County; Jan. 12 at Barren County; Jan. 15 vs. Warren Central; Jan. 16 at McCracken County; Jan. 22 vs. Greenwood; Jan. 26 at Franklin-Simpson; Jan. 29 vs. South Warren; Feb. 5 at Warren Central; Feb. 9 vs. Owensboro Catholic; Feb. 12 vs. Greenwood; Feb. 13 vs. Bethlehem in KY Vintage Tees Classic (Breckinridge County); Feb. 16 at Campbellsville; Feb. 18 at Daviess County

2 first-place votes, 47 total points

Last year: 21-10; 16th District runner-up; lost to Barren County in 4th Region SFs

Falcons won 20 games for the first time since 2017, when they went 31-3 but fell in the same round of the region tournament. Senior Sarah Thompson anchored the effort last season as a junior averaging 14.2 points and 7.7 rebounds.

Notable games: Dec. 4 at Franklin-Simpson; Dec. 8 vs. Clinton County; Dec. 11 at Cumberland County; Dec. 14 at Barren County; Dec. 18 at Metcalfe County; Jan. 4-8 hold for All “A” 4th Region Tournament games; Jan. 12 at Russell County; Jan. 15 at Clinton County; Jan. 19 vs. Metcalfe County; Jan. 22 vs. Cumberland County; Jan. 30 vs. Barren County; Feb. 5 vs. Russell County; Feb. 15 at Logan County

1 first place vote, 41 total points

Last year: 25-8; 13th District champion; 4th Region champion; lost to George Rogers Clark in state QFs

Franklin-Simpson won back-to-back region titles for the first time since 2008-2009. The Wildcats lost their second and third leading scorers, and since the first region-title run have graduated 13 contributors, but bring back Allye Pennington, a sharpshooter who averaged 21 points per game.

Notable games: Class 2A Sectionals (TBD); Dec. 4 vs. Monroe County; Dec. 12 vs. Cumberland County in State Farm 4th Region Challenge at Bowling Green; Jan. 8 at Logan County; Jan. 9 at Metcalfe County; Jan. 15 vs. Todd County Central; Jan. 19 vs. Greenwood; Jan. 22 vs. Russellville; Jan. 26 vs. Bowling Green; Jan. 29 vs. Logan County; Feb. 5 at Todd County Central; Feb. 9 vs. Christian County; Feb. 12 at Russellville

34 total points

Last year: 16-12; lost to Monroe County in 16th District SFs

The 2025-26 season was a step back for the Hornets, who reached the 2025 4th Region championship game. They may be ranked too low heading into the season: the region’s top-ranked player, Avery Morris, joined the program this offseason.

Notable games: Dec. 11 at Clinton County; Dec. 12 at Bowling Green; Dec. 15 at Russell County; Dec. 18 vs. Monroe County; Dec. 27-30 City of First Holiday Tournament (Boyle County); Jan. 2 vs. Clinton County; Jan. 4-8 hold for All “A” 4th Region Tournament games; Jan. 9 vs. Franklin-Simpson; Jan. 15 vs. Cumberland County; Jan. 19 at Monroe County; Feb. 2 vs. Russell County; Feb. 5 at Cumberland County; Feb. 6 vs. Rowan County; Feb. 9 at Barren County

1 first-place vote, 33 total points